The Curse of the Law

Galatians 3:10-14

Just a few months into our marriage, I asked my wife to go for a walk with me and she said she would go later as she was busy. Late that evening I asked her again, and she became very angry, telling me that if I interrupted her again she’d leave me. For the next sixteen years, from time to time she threatened to leave me if certain things happened, or didn‘t happen.

I spent sixteen years trying to make sure nothing happened to give her an excuse to leave. I reached a point where I was afraid to even state an opinion until I found out what she thought. If my opinion was not the same as hers, it might well bring out the same threat again. Year by year I became more convinced that some day I would slip up and she would leave me. After a while, even the good times in our marriage were overshadowed by the threat, so when she finally told me she was definitely leaving, I no longer had hope of pleasing her, and didn’t fight any more. Living under the constant pressure to always do what she wanted had destroyed most of the pleasure in our marriage.

Those who believe that works are essential for salvation, and for keeping salvation live with the same daily pressure never to make a mistake for fear of losing their salvation. Like me, nearly all of them reach a point from time to time where it is just too much, and quit for a while. Their love does not die however, and after a while they will try again, as long as they have some hope. Some eventually lose all hope of ever being good enough and quit completely. The pressure is a curse that eventually destroys their relationship with Christ, just as it destroyed my relationship with my wife. The love never dies, but it doesn’t seem to matter any more.

Performance anxiety affects everyone when they are exposed to it. Initially it results in superior performance, but for most, it eventually results in depression. Many teenagers commit suicide. Employees become depressed and frustrated with their jobs. Marriages fail. People give up on serving the Lord. Athletes become alcoholics, and executives burn out. Having to always be at your best is a curse.

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.” (Galatians 3:10-12)

Under Law, there is the constant threat of failure. One can never relax and enjoy God’s blessings. Any failure can negate all past success. Faith is impossible. As James 2:10 says, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” It is a curse and as Peter said in Acts 15:10, “Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” Failure is inevitable, and the sacrifices could never take away the judgment, merely postponing it, according to Hebrews 10.

“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:1-4)

Christ has set us free from performance anxiety. He took the curse on himself, when he had not sinned so he could deliver us. We can by faith receive the blessing God promised to Abraham, not just of blessings on earth, but for eternity.

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:13-14)

Romans 4 describes Abraham’s faith in God to do what was totally impossible for him to do himself, and how that God imputed or credited him as righteous, despite later sins, because of his faith. It continues by stating that believing in God’s action through Jesus will be credited to us in the same way.

“Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 4:23-5:2)

He has justified us, making us right before God by his sacrifice. Hebrews 10:14 tells us. “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” There is no longer reason for performance anxiety. I can fully relax and enjoy life, knowing I am right with him and that I am kept by his power. We can share Peter’s enthusiasm in I Peter 1:3-5.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

We have nothing to worry about. Our salvation is permanent and complete. We can rest in God’s promise.